The sky became dark. The streets were as damp as a marsh, but the king of the sky would be taking care of that issue.
I didn't melt all the ice quite yet, but I got all the chunks in the homes. Flinty was there, too– she appeared right after the prince left. She had just finished dumping all the water in the buildings onto the streets with a bucket. Despite my impressions of her, she was actually very diligent and a huge help. She was sitting nearby, wiping sweat off her brow.
"Thanks again, Flinty."
"Of course, I'm glad I could help. But how did all of this ice appear anyway?"
Oh, right. I didn't tell her. So I did. She had a giddy face. She would also periodically nod during my story.
"So you took down two knights again, and they were much stronger than the last two. That's Kenny for you."
Hey, where was my "that's really cool"? Ah, whatever. I finished melting the ice ten minutes later. My mana supply was low, but my legs were still standing. I followed Flinty back to her home.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWitwi4Cjrg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaZZNFjbpL
I was surprised that she always knew how to get there. She even knew shortcuts, quite clever of her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYXrANBKTh
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Once we arrived at her home she hurriedly knocked on the door. Who opened it was not Flinty's mother, but a strange man with sunglasses and curly grey hair reaching to the back of his shoulders.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxwJy3Ij8f
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"Dad!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XRn33tO40
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Dad? Ah, I forgot he was supposed to come today.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8f9vzI1Ynr
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"Flinty! There you are!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5F5o9WKr28
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Flinty jumped into her father's arms and stayed like that for a few seconds. The man then switched his gaze toward me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzrnayyohA
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2fhROcgsz
"And you must be Kenny?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEzmIuRfAcj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2nrJRb6Zx
"Yes. My name is Kenneth Buffalo Chambers, but do keep calling me Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEjhpZwDEi
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I offered him a hand and he shook it firmly.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsr1jc25go
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"I heard a lot about you. Please, come on in."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChLx96TFdK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqE0YaGNp0U
I did just that. He told me to take a seat in the kitchen and I did. But before actually taking the seat, I saw a potted flower on the table. It's a Soothe-Bloom. I was about to freak out until I remembered that I told Prince Orice that I live here231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNrcFl5Ij0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51h6Hte04b
Oh, right, I told Prince Orice that I live. I've made a terrible mistake. There is a card attached to the flower pot. I peeled it off and began reading.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWtWohwZo3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYFgAVUukr
Dear Mister Chambers.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU26Kov0P9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrtJWqlmN2
After scouring the royal garden for a house, I have found the flower you requested me to bring. You weren't here when I delivered it, so I'm writing to remind you to visit the palace tomorrow morning at eight, as you promised.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxhvdOoNdl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡujeTxdVhn9
Sincerely, Prince Orice Zariel.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7AfEYu53I
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbp2JriOv0
"...I don't remember promising anything."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmke2Ip3ue
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That aside, I'm surprised that the prince followed through. But when I think about it, it isn't all that surprising. He really, really wanted me to go to the palace.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDmhbv4PCf
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"I'll make sure to thank him later."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2fMBuy6Mg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5coB82J0d
And apologize. Because I am not going to wake up so early to visit a royal palace. I sat on the table and tossed the card away and began observing the Soothe-Bloom.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSB9VRk7nZs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzuBML182D
It was a majestic flower. It must've been a younger one since only three buds were below the petals when four were supposed to be present. It wasn't an issue of course, I preferred the younger ones. I hovered my palm beside the plant and began mana manipulation. Five seconds later, the flower was fully grown, and it even started excreting some liquid from the stem.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJGutOc2AI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡII58DKGQtJ
And, just to make sure, I let the tendril out and made a Soothe-Bloom. A miniature one popped out. Considering how small the original plant was, it was tiny, about half the size.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4QrjtKg2R
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5fDHtHvfS
"Hmm... how am I supposed to make them bigger?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMsLCylL8n
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It clearly wasn't a growth issue since they all looked and functioned like adult plants; they just weren't the same size. Perhaps it had something to do with my mana manipulation.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡifUQ81A95h
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWtcpvqM2M
I thought of asking the Tea Mage. When it came to mana manipulation, he was undoubtably more knowledgeable than me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA837OayCVs
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"Kenny!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdO41OBEy3H
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"Ah, Flinty, hello."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66pEkJ5gyX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdpJ9on2BNc
She ran up to the table and took a seat across from me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJ3HYDEk05
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklTQRiYgWE
"Is that the plant you asked for?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8fGGu2uDr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnF6cCFkjEr
"Yes. Go ahead and take a look."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XbFDiRa3m
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyM61ZdbKf
I slid the pot over to her. She picked it up gently and started twisting and turning it, looking at the plant from every angle.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMj4LvF2oV
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"Hello, you two."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeIhEczfpr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcKi8HACIF
Flinty's father stepped into the kitchen. He was taking his coat off and hung it on a nearby hook.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ29p9The7I
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"Dad, come look at this pretty flower."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBetHbRXjpR
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"Alright sweetie, just give me a second."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQWiYKPnYC
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He stretched his arms and took a seat by us. He grabbed the pot out of Flinty's hands just a little too forcefully.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vfCYoAfZ9
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"Please don't drop it or something."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9AwVKKXiz
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"Don't worry chum, I can handle a little pottery."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr56MmPfC8P
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnwSuP6y2X
Pottery? That was frankly insulting, but I didn't vocalize it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUt4sneDwen
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"Did you ever see one of these on your travels, Dad?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpx4LeJ9ds
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmwwgZXAo2
"Nope, nothing like it. It's a beautiful flower. I can't believe the prince himself delivered it here. What'd you do to get this, huh Kenny? It better not be anything bad."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4bFvdRPhh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhaJFxbnyk
"Oh no no no, we uh, had an agreement."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenax3fbzzW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZrnqJnowY
"And you asked for... a flower?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlX56pRaXmG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFjlDNs9RE
"It's not just a flower! It's a Soothe-Bloom!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDCf9cboBR
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Flinty's dad inspected the flower again.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIbgyHB56k
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QSqxWKMgt
"I dunno kid, looks like a flower to me."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYhAnq1Gkx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1WFF8PHVR
"Arg! You...!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH8Fp0KvfB
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Alright, I tried to restrain myself, but now he was getting on my nerves. I didn't want to do anything rash in front of Flinty though, so I just sat down with arms crossed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3DcaVxqgg
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEF4QUGDWmu
"Ah, I didn't mean to insult ya. Sorry chum."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpm3LT19eVC
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"Whatever."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5H7o6PDygc
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We sat in silence for a minute.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdalBWBWvmU
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"So... Flinty, you wanna hear about this cool animal I found?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElyHF0VECn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkn09dhGcdp
"Yes! Please tell me!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnZcx88sJF
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Cool animal? Oh right, Flinty mentioned something about traveling. I was looking away, but I perked my ears.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTio4vbL5V
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTMNwxFptn
"I was going to the Eastern country you see, and on my way there, I found a rabbit walking on its hind legs! See, I was going to–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcjlEmLKFo
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"Wait, Eastern country?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfqqMQAX7a7
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I faced the old man.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WDaBsS64F
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"Yeah, one of the four countries of King's Peak. Don't you know?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMvK7SXy9W
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1eOc4fvJo
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDg9w2vqdl
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"Yikes, where did you grow up?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9yY7xvHJp
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"...Buffalo village."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgor2XABjyb
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"Ah, that makes sense. The people there are total hillbillies."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd77zngM7w6
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I didn't know what that word meant, but I could tell it wasn't anything good.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMDdkvmHB6
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"Kenny," started Flinty, "you don't know about the four countries?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oHj62VdXH
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"No, because I'm apparently a hillbilly."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ050qWouAox
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Flinty chuckled a little. I was in a better mood now.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4cwPBCPFi
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"Can I explain this one, Dad?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMxUxQYSow
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"Go ahead. I'll go fetch your mother."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ft93Qo350
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Flinty's dad thankfully left the table.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcrjvU3KJ41
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYaF5cGVYPN
"See Kenny, King's Peak is a big mountain. It's so big that four different countries are on it. We're the southern country, but there's also western, northern, and eastern."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGosPWuQ0N
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I nodded along.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL3kWCXyeD
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"Our country has three main kingdoms. Zariel is the smallest by far, but I think it's pretty cozy thanks to that."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTU6ujSBJL
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I wouldn't say cozy, Flinty. But it's not like she was the one getting tailed by a stubborn, idiot prince. It was a nice city otherwise.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKsJMSpXU1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrdW0SXmP3
"My dad works as a mail carrier. It's a pretty hard job. I barely see him, but he always has awesome stories when he gets back!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQifDTA6FBB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7vCcChntk
"Really? I think it's pretty obvious that walking rabbit was made-up."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94SOIkv3oQ
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She blinked blankly.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfU7DGN0Rn
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"Wait, is it?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmstlAM3LT
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I chortled. Of course it was, Flinty. Rabbits can't walk on their hind legs.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3BQ5TQSTW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡId3G1atteR
"No, maybe it is true."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1AQxTT58S
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"O-Oh, okay."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT5SKlefof
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"Ah, Flinty, Kenny!" A woman's voice that I recognized called out. Julie was there with her husband.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9VYtP9sHw
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"How was your guys' day?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTu71Kvrj1k
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWMkePy7vff
"Mom, you should've been there!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdP7JBdJJ8r
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And then, that's when dinner officially started. Flinty told a (very) exaggerated recounting of today's events, and I occasionally interrupted to correct her or add some information. Julie looked surprised by the size of my ice cone, but other than that, she had a happy face listening.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLLKjgGhovs
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I found out what Flinty's father's name was: Connor. He looked like a Connor, which didn't make sense, but it made sense to me. The four of us had tea, potatoes and chicken, and honestly, I didn't talk all that much, but the three family members did.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBUjWwHycn
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It made me feel a little alienated. But I was also happy. I didn't want to spoil this rare visit of Connor's, so I just sat there and ate my food. It was nice. Julie was a good cook. And though my heart wouldn't admit it, better than... my mother.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwEW2aWlY2
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I sighed. Damn it. I finished my food and stood up, carrying the plate and silverware to the kitchen sink.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAFNgH5HMy
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"Huh, Kenny?" Flinty asked.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyut1RPYRE
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"I'm gonna clean my dishes and head to bed. Have fun with your dad, Flinty."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbzkTZ6VyB
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"O-Okay."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXR6nU69Gv
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"Hold on chum, you come back here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF7jJci71dx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1NKHA0vdF
Huh? Where was this coming from? I pretended to not hear him, but then the man actually got up and grabbed me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbWxTFUoVKS
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"W-Woah! What's the meaning of this!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeBAkAb0fWK
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He sat me right back down in my chair.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhKcF3mFzH
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"You're not leaving 'till we say so!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDZcIhq9BB
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The other two were laughing. I didn't get it. Why were you people laughing? And why was the dad suddenly laughing along?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAw2FeWE1U
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"...Uh, hehehe... he?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7oE8hEAq8
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Nobody even heard my "laugh."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScK8YpMi16
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIOACWJWypP
"So Kenny, I heard from the wife that you're pretty impressive. What's the praise for?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdXx2lS5ML
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCLXUQSfRWM
"Ah, well, I'd like to stay modest..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfgnjliNrO3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryCiUi2EUt
"Gotcha. Flinty, tell me what the praise is for."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpMVz9AjHe
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKdjkTbBYxk
Flinty, please, don't betray me like this.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjftkfUjVG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAb7C50SnE
"Kenny says he's going to Talbot University!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvfJDoKhJw
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WWtXss7fB
Connor slammed the table. I feel like this happened before.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfOcpHEEL4
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"TALBOT!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65GWFZ8cZu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpfX7xyyCQ
"Yes honey, Talbot. But luckily for Kenny, he's gonna be studying here at Zariel Kingdom! Mr. Freed will be teaching him."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmDZGdWSsS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABEnA0Ul4X
"Wow, look at you chum. Aren't you–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAcrVScSeP7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgazhkL3TNT
I slammed the table and stood up. I made the family flinch.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFhsR12XVs
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"...I'm sorry, but I'm very tired right now. Please, let me excuse myself."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAPW2tYZBv
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I grabbed the Soothe-Bloom and headed to the front door.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAoKbJDVtQQ
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"W-Wait, Kenny, where are you going?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAq0ohLBMo
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"Your father returned. I don't have a room to sleep in."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMq55WxtF6M
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"We have a guest room, don't worry," said Julie.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwA7A8djD3
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"...Oh, my mistake. Sorry."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTFl9APSdC
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"Don't worry. I'm sorry for pushing you when you were so clearly tired."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73I1yqNNWL
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I heard something get hit and then saw Connor clench his shin.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiPjVlPL6G
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"Yep... sorry, Chum."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXESHR6cOaA
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"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZDZ0gqV8E
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For a moment, I couldn't move. I was stuck staring at the family members. Julie's face was stern, and I couldn't make out Connor's expression behind his sunglasses, but Flinty looked like she just killed a puppy.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOV41wueSH0
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"I'm s-sorry as well, Kenny..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkW4xRkbDYn
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Damn it. I should've just kept my mouth shut. I went and upset these people.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSZnRY4jqmU
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Wait, no. Damn it, I was in the right, wasn't I?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDU2HKJGDC
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I couldn't think straight. I started walking to the stairs. Before I went up them though, I remembered something I forgot to mention.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDyMARmxtV
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"Flinty."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7P9uQg41m
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"Y-Yeah?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnDQcN5GiV
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"Follow me to the Tea Mage's shop tomorrow. I'll start teaching you mana manipulation then."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XTw1W7PGP
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Her face turned from a slight frown to a bright smile.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAehSx2G6m
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"Okay! Let's do it!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEIGS3VOYs
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There we go. That's the face I wanted to see. I walked up the steps with a smile of my own and entered the door at the end of the hall. By process of elimination, it had to be the guest room. I got in and put the Sooth-Bloom on the table.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgesJI967ls
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"...My tome is in the other room."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz90br0FlRt
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Whatever, I was too tired to go and grab it. I took my clothes off and slid into bed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3yGvUJViKj
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–
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–231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIjyL7rA3w
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Morning came with a cool breeze. I opened the windows up and let it blow against my face. It was nice. I was in a much better mood than last night, so I put on my clothes and rushed down the stairs. I was the first one there.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7TL8a6EeW
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I didn't know how to make breakfast... which is quite sad now that I realize it, so I found myself sitting down at the table. I waited for about ten minutes until another person came down; it was Connor.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEugeekIsJr
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"Ah, mornin' Chum."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pfw7tygVX
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"Good morning."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRowRMDfzim
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"What are you doing here all by yourself?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVblgCB0as
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"I woke up early."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJPgviOmQi
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"Alright. Let me make you some food. "231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4eSkooUkY
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I had a bad feeling about this. I stayed in place and watched the man cook from behind. He looked to be cooking eggs. When he was done, he made four plates worth, and handed me mine.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SitXx5eO0
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"You can go ahead and eat it. I'll go wake the wife and kid up."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTT1AwhYQUG
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"Right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HRzFIHKfG
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Connor went up the stairs. I stared at my plate. It looked perfectly edible, but I still had my doubts. I started with a little lick and had to blow on my tongue right after. Of course, it's hot. I couldn't even taste it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡguPJEySiht
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Flinty and Julie came downstairs and sat at the table and started eating themselves. Flinty looked to be in an especially good mood today, but it changed when she saw the eggs on the table.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ21gmb5AaG
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"Ah, Dad, you cooked?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloxH4mgw3K
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"I sure did, honey."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkExjvrBt4
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"Oh."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeRi3bjVMa
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Wow, her father's cooking must be god-awful.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JXfuoSQIs
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"Is something wrong?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeE4v0IUuv
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"N-No, I just... I wanted to help a little."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaPXatVz3Q
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She looked embarrassed saying that, but her Father and Mother were beaming with smiles. They both went in to hug her. All the while I sat there, staring at them. They were mumbling something I couldn't hear. Flinty looked happy.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgSKNYjbB7
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Strange. Strange people.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKgUyC7Fgla
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After that ordeal, the family joined me at the table and began eating. They looked happy but were eating food too quietly. It made me sweat a bit. Was this because of me? Was I making it too awkward? Or, maybe they were just a bit embarrassed since I saw that whole ordeal.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGwPsN8zax
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"...I uh."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC1rBSR26b6
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Unsure of what to do, I spoke out, but it was a lot louder than I intended and now all of them were looking at me. How nice.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6oX7B4ndY
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"Sorry for my outburst yesterday."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6Sj2W3DWp
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I stood out of my chair and slightly bowed, leaving my sentence at that.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfE2nRSqS7s
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"Oh, Kenny, please! Don't worry yourself over that," Julie said, "you were right to be a little upset. Water under the bridge, okay?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iFFbRGgcx
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"Water under the bridge?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRdrb7uNm0
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"Mhm."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAZ42qqaDuq
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Flinty and Connor nodded. I see, water under the bridge. I remember that phrase, back in Buffalo Village. Jackson told me it while we were talking.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudzUBPi0hv
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Alright. I sat down, and was feeling much better. I picked up the fork and finally bit on the eggs.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrtFMbTgiO
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They were really good.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BWuFxxZDj
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–
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After breakfast ended, Flinty and I got dressed and left the house. I was wearing the same things I'd been wearing, but Flinty had a clean brown vest on top of a short-sleeved grey shirt. Her pants were the same shade as her shirt.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvMFzOlvzP
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"That's a nice outfit"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3MJnTGLrg
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"Thank you! I wanted something a bit lighter for today, and I thought it looked really cute."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3lBixePLZ
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Brown and grey weren't my ideas of cute colors, but that's neither here nor there. We left the house but didn't move, because honestly, I didn't remember where the Tea Mage's shop was. Flinty sighed and told me to follow her. It was a little embarrassing, but we got there without any issues.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzgOEtb26O
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"You know this town very well, Flinty."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQE8dDar2g4
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"Heh. I like to go around it during my spare time. I haven't had the chance for a while though."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeeMOtL34k
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"Ah, my apologies."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4MZkjldmW
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"No no, I like being around you too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMa5bKOFNGq
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Aw. My heart, my fragile heart. Flinty was such a precious child, wasn't she?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwPBQdFkBH
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"What are you waiting for, Kenny? Let's go in!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlGuZH0t8b5
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"R-Right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcT8RD9CQU
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She was also headstrong, it seems. She opened the door to the shop and a ding resonated in the building.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNm4oRF6pF
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"Ah, who may it be? Kenny, Flinty, is that you two?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHH4z3tSQs
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"Hello, Freed!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqFBAbNPktH
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"Good morning Mister Tea Mage."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtp2oRZO8n
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When Mister Tea Mage noticed it was us two, he gladly let us in.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95KH6vTFVc
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"So what business do you kids have today?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBheWpWuSop
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"Kenny says he's gonna teach me magic!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdEzr9Euuk
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"I said mana manipulation. Well, same thing."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhspO4sryft
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The Tea Mage slowly nodded.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡioXIoz5mx9
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"So why'd you bring her over here, Kenny?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMhVf6n8ay
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"Ha, well you see, I was hoping that you'd help her out as well! Considering how you're a professor from an esteemed school, I thought it would be a good idea."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1rEY5BkJr
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"I see."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1i2tVrfzN
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The Tea Mage began rubbing his bearded chin.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOvoaJGTFA
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"I refuse."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrgcDnEZnvM
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"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaBvZcUDZD
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"WHAT!?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMdl7HFxdm
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Flinty sounded a bit disheartened, but I practically let out a war cry.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5Kx85aJU4
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"Wait, why not, Mister Tea Mage?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsSdRUGbNm
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"Kenny, have you ever heard the saying that goes like 'if you can teach it, then you truly understand it'?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwUybyZz9j
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"...No?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhY05ao0LX5
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"Well, now you have. It's a saying, but it's more like an axiom. So, consider this a test, Kenny. I'll watch you teach Flinty here and gauge your capabilities. That way, when the curriculum arrives, I can start you where you belong. You might also learn a thing or two while you're at it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIy2GOdEvFG
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His reasoning made sense, but I was still bummed out about it. I sluggishly turned to Flinty. She was rearing to go. I'm jealous.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxvkPLwmxE
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"Alright Flinty, let's start lessons..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjrhRyAFhx
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"Hold on, follow me, you two."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDI5WFCjSE
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The Tea Mage opened a door behind the counter and motioned us to come. We went through the back, and I was exposed to a whole new world.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5SsNn2yV0
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It looked like those pictures of greenhouses I saw in the tome, only that tea plants were sprawled everywhere. I thought that this was where we would practice, but Tea Mage looked at me like I was an idiot and opened a trapdoor nearby.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQhZ3oS5CSg
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"Down here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcrwtJZjro
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I was getting a little suspicious now, but before I could warn Flinty, she was already heading downstairs. I took a breath and followed her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20a9INhpdf
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It was... a laboratory. There was a large red carpet with a strange design colored yellow. Three wide tables were all pushed against their respective walls, and all sorts of plants, dead or alive, were on them. It was a laboratory. As someone who's been in one, it was easy to tell, but the Tea Mage did a good job of making it look inconspicuous. As expected of the great Tea Mage.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4jEgbTwXwG
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"I'll be sitting right here." The Tea Mage said, placing his butt on a nearby stool. "You two, train on the carpet. It has anti-mana properties, so it won't be damaged."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzA0xdnTGn0
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Anti-mana properties? Actually, I've heard of this concept before. A magical plant called the Un-Blossom has similar effects.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIHKUt2Gz4
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Anyway, I nodded at the Tea Mage. Flinty was already sitting down on the carpet, on her knees and her hands on her thighs. Her face was full of determination. I nodded to myself and sat down criss-cross.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycX4ZY90vi
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"Alright Flinty, are you ready?"
"Yes!"
Good. That's the answer I wanted. Now, to start the lesson...
Um...
"..."
I began to sweat. How do I even explain something like mana expulsion and mana spinning? I'm not like my father, who's had–
Oh right. My father. I could just say what he did.
"So, the first thing you need to learn Flinty is the type of mana manipulation."
She frantically nodded.
"There are two types of mana manipulation: internal, and external. You can further cut it down into three categories: mana expulsion, mana sustaining, and mana spinning. The first two are all external, and the last one is internal."
Flinty swiftly raised her hand.
"Question!"
"U-Uh, yes, Flinty?"
"How does sending mana out of your body create magic?"
Wow. Curiosity; it's a pleasure to see. I'm also surprised she knew what "expulsion" meant.
"That was a good question. See, when you release mana, it is always done willingly, meaning that the mana you release is done so with Intent."
"Intent?"
"Yes, Intent. It's like a small tag of differing colors. What Intent does is make it so that, when your mana collides with the atmospheric mana, it combines and transforms into one of the four elements. Or, depending on how well you can expulse mana, you can even create mixtures of elements, like mud or steam. Mixtures are difficult to master though, since you need to tag your mana with multiple types of Intent."
"W-Wow. Can you do that?"
I shook my head no.
"I'm not that good at expelling mana, to be honest. My tendril and the plants it grows are all internal, and modifying plants becomes easy when it's something you've been doing for a long time."
"Wait, so, does that mean there are types of Intent that don't make one of the four elements?"
"...Well, you're half right. Intent isn't just fire, water, wind, or earth. It's just that, those four elements are what's in the air. Some spells outside of the core four elements happen, but that usually means that the caster needs to have a completely unique type of mana in their system, or be in a unique environment where those types of spells can exist."
"...I don't get it. Hold on."
Gah, teaching is hard. Flinty got up and asked the Tea Mage for paper and pencil, which he conveniently had on hand. She returned to the carpet and sat down.
"Intent an infinite spectrum. You can put almost any type of Intent on your particles of mana. The thing is, for a spell to be created, the Intent of your mana needs to match what's on the mana in the air. In most places in the world, the mana in the air can only make the four core elements, with few exceptions, and they do not carry any Intent. So, if you wanted to make, say, a light spell, and put light Intent on your mana, but you were doing that in the plains, then nothing would happen, you'd just be wasting your internal mana supply."
Flinty was scribbling down what I said.
"But what about alchemy and your plants? How does that work?"
"Alchemy deals with mana suspension in chemicals. Mana suspension can also be described as mana infusion. As for my plants, that is all mana spinning. Magical plants, like all things, have a type of mana exclusive to the outside world, and if you use mana spinning enough, you eventually become good at modifying them. The same goes for normal plants, at least in my case. It takes a lot of practice, knowledge, and improvisation. That goes for normal mana expulsion too, mind you."
She happily nodded and wrote that down.
"So, what is mana spinning?"
Ah, here we are. I think I can get this across in one go.
"Mana spinning is internal mana manipulation. What mana spinning does is move or modify the mana in the body of something. Poison magic, antidote magic, buff and debuff magic, healing magic, all of that is mana spinning. It takes a very skilled person to perform mana spinning on another because of how intricate one needs to be, which is why medic mages and the like are practically unseen, and why alchemy is more mainstream. You don't see schools focused on stuff like healing magic for a reason, though I hear a lot of classes are offered for self-preservation purposes. Still, it's not easy to learn. To give you an example, I've heard tales of some people being able to perform mana spinning at a range of six meters, and people like that are revered as legends."
"Wow. Can you do mana spinning on other people?"
"I... have not tried. I've stuck to alchemy for the most part. I can do mana spinning on other objects, though. That's how I tinker with the plants."
"H-Huh? But didn't you just say that's practically unseen?"
"Yes, performing mana spinning on something like a human is practically unseen. A plant is relatively simple though. Don't get me wrong, it still took years to even make a tree grow faster. Since I specialize in plants, I doubt I could do the same for something like rocks or water. Their internal mana is just too different."
She slowly nodded.
"Still, the fact that you can do it at all is pretty amazing."
"T-Thank you, but I've been doing it for a long time, it's not that impressive."
She wrote down a few more things and then put the paper away.
"Can I try mana expulsion?"
"Are you sure? I haven't even explained mana suspension yet."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu7fTIcCYh2
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2oRtibHvOm
"Uh, well, please? I really wanna try..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxgiwbBrL3
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I shrugged.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eezpiuEqv
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"Well alright, go ahead and try."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5Zqq7ZLhf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8zL1erg72
With a big smile, she raised her hand and extended her fingers. She was humming deeply, and her arm was shaking, but nothing was happening.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACQZb52RFE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqCaYYaj7Sb
"Am I doing it right?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJjoXtft71
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVxPqzviR4
"No. Sadly not. Hmm..."
How am I supposed to explain this? Expelling mana was literally beaten into me, but I didn't want to put my fists on Flinty.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0a2PlbZTK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SRw82IVxn
"Ngh, this is hard," Flinty said, repeating the same thing she just did.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1y2XDlQd3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSD4cHpiTkH
"Hold on Flinty, what's going through your mind when you do that?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZTTGqWIec8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57VRoSG82W
"My mind? Well, I think of shooting out mana to make fire, and then try really hard to let it out. It isn't doing anything, though."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkDRxRQSHh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfI9q3TXVR7
"That's no good. How am I supposed to..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfJDDiVgod
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgulxP4SSgg
I looked over to the Tea Mage who immediately shook his head no. Maybe he wasn't as glorious as I thought.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNWAmkrkGF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tVGsTgTdr
"Alright, I'll just start talking and hope I make sense."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhYHmAhAEK
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVctuc7ev1
Flinty quickly scrambled to get her paper back.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu7OpBM7BO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuO7lXORzuf
"No no no, there aren't any notes to take here."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmOnZ57CqH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2EsMZr6ev
"O-Okay."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNGz8rgY3G
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTa3mG6kv4
She put the paper away. I got up and sat next to her.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ422QhXnsCM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbItazcud27
"The big thing you need to think about when expelling mana isn't what you want to do with it, since you already have Intent. Intent is a lot more honest than you'd think. No, what you need to do– hold on, prop your arm back up. Thanks –what you need to do is think about four main things: how much am I letting out, how much control am I putting into it, how fast am I letting it out, and how do I want my spell to move? The first two are far more important than the latter two since they're required to make the spell in the first place. So, let's try them."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4csDz8qqzu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR0ymYduuHd
"W-Wait, how do I–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbf0S04GLEW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcaZW4v6GU
"No, it's better if you feel it. Think about how much you want to let out now, then when you do, try your best to control it, okay?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHoY8wwIRHa
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIVaEvVQBH
"But what if I can't let it out?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3Bz8tZL8r
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpTm82GEBW
"Then keep practicing. Try not to let too much out though; you might drain your mana supply entirely, or worse, hurt yourself."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhJt3Hv7Zp
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0caZT5wDV
That comment made Flinty start to sweat, but she still tried her hand at it. She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths. She sat in silence with her arm up as I was watching her. And then, something miraculous happened. The air in front of her began to spark once, and then twice, and then over and over again until a ball of fire the size of a pebble was formed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBgpxeDAeP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3hNaxW8Ly
"F-Flinty! Look, you did it!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XtWp3Pf7B
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"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTKSzhIwnP
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She jumped a little, opened her eyes and, most likely, lost control.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRGE5tyBTm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffVyMlflmW
The fireball suddenly grew to three times its size. Then eight times.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTPQUbZ4cJ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ODTzXAIvV
I messed up, getting all excited.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIe6mlJHVTn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCzWydDocy
I knew immediately what would happen. It always does with a faulty spell, and it's why my dad insisted that I practice water magic first. I was a fool to forget it now. I pulled the tendril out and shoved Flinty away, then tried to stop the spell with a Freeze-Dry.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZbOJJj2Ht
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZQCUHUqi4
I couldn't do it in time.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQcCYUYiyk
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**BOOM**231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFbrDxPbcA
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The world around me faded.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGc8iwyIcSS
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–
–
–
"...Little Weasel... don't go... Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0g1AqZizL1
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdxLoqJH8t
I woke back up to words that I undeniably did but swore I didn't say. I must've been in quite a haze five seconds ago. Wait, where am I? What happened?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZrW2rWISM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd0msY9Ehm
Oh, never mind, I remember what happened. I looked at my hands and noticed that they were burned, but as for my clothes, well, pulling the bedsheet off of me revealed that my nice brown pants became shorts with a black crispy hem. My shirt was somehow unscathed, but my jacket was missing entirely, so I assumed the worst.
"...Crap. Sorry, Anabelle. I'm sorry."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLclC9AvrR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUBohq2wPN
Gah, I'm a moron. What was I thinking, letting Flinty literally play with fire? I hoped at least she was unscathed.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡChHv6hsUQc
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ52pJSyJCrV
"Wait, where is Flinty?"
I only just noticed that I was in a room. It had a small green hue and was unbelievably tiny. There was a desk across the bed, but I could take one step and stub my toe on it. There was a door nearby, however, so I stood up and walked out.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBQCxjNQ2y
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I was in the greenhouse.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdvipBbI0u
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85PWQFgWZM
"The Tea Mage must've brought me here. HELLO!? MISTER TEA MAGE?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanqxSHrb6B
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TOpm3EAyW
I waited a few seconds and heard scurrying footsteps. Out came the Tea Mage from the trap door, and Flinty right after.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtVoz9COlra
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssCmOVBcIV
Thank God, they were okay.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRPDYRrqI6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtIZ8vojEp
"KENNY!" Flinty yelled, running across the room to me. I was suddenly in a great mood. She was holding a piece of white cloth in her hand.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdlY8xmj40
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgR8CUA8b3q
"H-Hi Flinty. Are you okay?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFke5ifYDD
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrTVdPeBkU
"Am I okay!? Kenny, you– you–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02238zWY5w
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjSU7C0hSG
She looked like she was about to burst into tears, but she managed to hold herself back. She handed the white cloth over to me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHIrcMzOVMh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqo78E0L08
"This is... my coat?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI1xjnRYGY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjSkaDy0JU
"Y-Yeah. Freed said that it was fire-resistant, and he said that... that without it... you could've..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjkWBZrLFId
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dzz2YCHRm
Oh. I get it. I had no idea it was fire-resistant, though. Gosh, Anabelle, when did you learn mana suspension that advanced?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXJ1cj2thR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7i6oAoV7TY
I love you. I really do. Thank you.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHmIiNo2Yr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEKmuaYG8f
"And thank you Flinty. Thank you for bringing it to me."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMPhg8BmsN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSNKlq2mYIj
She sniffled and nodded. I grabbed the coat and put it back on.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgDD7XWe7A
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm56ruIbPO
"Jeez Kenny, you should've seen yourself after the explosion. Your whole face and legs were covered in burn marks and–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH94exeNHXd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyfu4dPxpS
"FREED! SHUT UP!" Yelled Flinty.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4L88h5atq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hrcb9hrFn
"S-Sorry, sorry. Long story short, a few potions did the trick. It's a good thing we were right there. Oh, and before you ask, the lab room is fine."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9NsNd5DXX8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5sF47gZAc
I wasn't going to ask, but I guess it was a comforting thought. I managed to survive a failed fire spell at point-blank range, which is quite a feat if I do say so myself. It seems Flinty didn't see it that way, though. She was still crying– rather, trying but failing not to cry. I didn't know what to do, and I felt like it was all misdirected. I was the one who messed up the lesson, it was my fault such an accident happened anyway. But, knowing Flinty, she wouldn't take an answer like that. So I put a hand on her shoulder and patted it a few times. Hugging wasn't my thing.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzR3WWQbFqq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOGB1M2p2j
"H-Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTaum8TpF64
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBRnOyp3XJ
"Don't worry about it, Flinty. We all mess up. You know, when I just started, I made a water ball so big it almost flooded the house. Then I got a bad beating afterward."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQk2PdsdGl0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjBpafASsW
"T-That's terrible!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm4coWedje3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtgLwAtD2vM
Oops. Now she looked like she was actually going to cry. The Tea Mage shook his head at me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXRcq8BQab
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYALt0URA5j
"Uhm, well, Flinty..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuU5POChlkj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0t0TrqKME
I didn't know what to say. Finally, the dam broke, and Flinty began to wail. Then, she hugged me, and I was showered with a sea of "sorry".231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDAU8NQlDN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nozLhJBMn
It felt wrong. It felt super wrong.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1gl1fNupuJ
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–
–
–
The Tea Mage informed me of what happened after the accident. He was able to catch Flinty, but I took the brunt of the blast. He quickly used potions on me and put me to bed, and afterward, he put Flinty to rest too. "She accidentally used up all her mana and passed out", he said. I expected as much, but Flinty's recovery time was remarkable. Two hours, just a little less than how long I was passed out for.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WAO8JRRHu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz16vHPH80
Anyway, we left the Tea Mage's shop after that. Now Flinty and I were on the street, walking back home. I was enjoying the scenery, and Flinty was treating herself to a nice dose of the cobbled street.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bMC7fqO5L
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡti6T1ZiVtC
I wasn't so dumb that I couldn't tell that something was getting to her, and I had a feeling about what it was. Still, not wanting to make her break down again, I thought of something else.
Easier said than done.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBp8Ik18H3O
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrrfRL6MKi
The whole time, Flinty's been dictating my schedule. With her unable to keep her head up and brainstorm with me, I didn't have a clue as to what to do. What scared me though, was that my mind brushed the idea of seeing the prince, and that brief instance alone made me shudder.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLoTaygOea
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNABpeahrDr
But, this wasn't about the prince. Flinty was down in the dumps, and I didn't know what to do. Come on, Kenny, what would be a good idea? What would cheer her up?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9sZwmskWd
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"...Ah!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ534qmsLXhU
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I just remembered something she told me about earlier. Heh, good job, Kenny, you smart man.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcYXA02NcX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoYm73orV7
"Flinty, I know you're a little sad right now, but how about we go explore the city?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1YucU1hWu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoFswvvfPK
"...Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qr3qkXMsR
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She meekly turned her head to me.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4BkqLfNRz
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"U-Uh, you told me that you like doing it, right? Since we're out on the street anyway, why don't we? I need to learn how to get around this place sooner or later anyway."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63BY9FoPk4
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ16upwiBZ42
She turned her whole body to me. Her eyes were wide open, but not in a bad way.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTqtmzN4Ep
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GVnggk9vI
"Are you sure, Kenny? Do you really want to go around with me?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vw8IMfNSV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJoCaDj96Er
"Yeah. I'm sure. I'm very sure."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfdvCigigy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtn6pEDkouy
Her face quickly lit up. It wasn't as bright as usual, but she was smiling now at least.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP9Q2c6qRf
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"Okay, let's go then!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQfJLXTSX34
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She suddenly grabbed my hand. She didn't start running and dragging me along, but she did speed up a bit.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsZmWLW2az
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNiYlWONU7L
"W-Where are we going to go first?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZhe9Imn0Y
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqYqhuoa26O
She turned her head to me. For whatever reason, at that moment, I was glad that we were the same height.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhkDJjRf8C
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmha0HqEjNH
"Who knows? Let's just go somewhere! I'm sure it'll be fun!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEOnXEf1XA
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Yeah, let's.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rGk13sSQi
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–
–
–
I didn't know Flinty had such an adventurous spirit. I frankly couldn't keep up.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyRAWMbXqL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyV98GZyAe
We were just walking, but doing that for long enough will get you tired eventually. The whole time, we were traveling the streets. Flinty would point out the occasional landmark to me. Those landmarks were stores or houses of people she knew. One notable one was a large fountain in a town square that people apparently drank from. I forgot their locations almost immediately, but for this specific place, I doubt I would forget.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwdoFVHxfFC
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6Yw6yhY6P
I had to catch my breath first, though. Hold on. Little more. Okay. I looked up. There was a large building. It was two stories tall like the rest, but it was much, much wider.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13epDbHg2N
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7nKRATTAW
"This is the combatant's guild!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gxkqX5i2m
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It looked even more... no, it wasn't impressive at all. Once the fatigue wore off, the shabbiness of the place made itself apparent immediately. The big sign hanging over the entrance that advertised the building was leaning to the right, and the lone chain suspending it looked like it would snap any minute. I was disappointed, but Flinty was staring at the building with awe.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn1FNJyA291
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSe7MorPgtr
"This place needs a renovation."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlELel6MMM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAzBQN6Ecil
"Oh, that's not it! It's just that, you know how combatant's are."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0lYW5EAPW
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I shook my head.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPlhY96Pw4
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"Ah, well, they're pretty rowdy, I hear. I guess the damage must be from them."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPcFregiho
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"How did they get the sign, then? It's at least ten feet over the ground."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlD1CRnEFS
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"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEuVq274hyL
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Flinty started to share in my disappointment, but she was trying her best not to.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMe3H9fvLPs
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVNUitICWa
"S-Still, it's an amazing place! You get to sign up and go on missions, and you get a lot of fame and money from it! Kenny, I know, you should–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPPrEoXab3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr0Nf1CaU24
"Do not even suggest it."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ5V2u2oJP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI2w93fia20
She nodded with a sweat bead dripping down her face.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoM0fU2ZOUE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaq3yVzS8T
"Come on Kenny, let's at least look inside!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdBxHKjdow
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZ3QVz2VFs
"...Well alright."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSoRpf9jsn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYFR2eKEouq
I'd usually refuse, but I'm trying to cheer up Flinty, so I held myself back. She grabbed me by the hand again and opened the twin doors to the building.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mE8GCMAjq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55lZWcCufK
My ears were immediately bombarded by laughter, clanging objects, and vulgar language. Fortunately, it was only coming from one table. Unfortunately, it was in the center of the building. I covered Flinty's ears, and she looked confused as to why.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmr6mEVmPR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAzU9tIF2g
"You aren't supposed to be hearing those words yet!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2mX0PuvxQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJFZm88uBZ
She pouted.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9zGIhkAhn
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE00VXZd7tq
"I'm allowed to hear cuss words! And I can say them, too."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BVVoY0qFm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8SZyjODPE
"Oh. Please don't say them, though."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRD2jlXqAa6
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasEHmG8iW3
She sighed. I took it as an "I won't." Phew. I followed her into the building. We were staying very close to the walls so as to not catch anyone's attention. The loud morons in the middle were too loud for anyone to notice us. We managed to sneak our way to the receptionist's desk. A lady suddenly appeared from the left. She was in very... revealing apparel. I tried to shield Flinty's eyes, but she put a hand over mine.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyC7uyEklZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb6S70z9Zw
"Huh? Flinty?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRUElfs3vb8
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLM9yHnC6B2
"O-Oh, Sorry, Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHOcZ9vVaAF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2xG1oJq3i
She didn't look very happy putting her hand away. Strange.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUy85b3jML
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX4mJCacyD
"Hey, you two look pretty young, are you really trying to sign up for the guild?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjSDa263Jx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdh1CUB0K3u
"Oh, not at all, miss. We were simply exploring."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHMkKcZFbq
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLRCoXbj7X
"Exploring...? Hah, well, I feel bad for you suckers. This place is a pigsty. Have fun!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk7OEInzW7
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvelDiqVMgQ
She vanished into the space behind the counter. I looked at Flinty slyly.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiA33Op59O
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcTLfqS0ej
"See? They don't give a crap about this place."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tgEWRsBrj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWEzt9A9Muo
"Hmph. I still want to look around, though."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkf2Dv0bRM0
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI63ckF463
Staying close to the wall, the two of us continued to go around the room. We arrived at a line-up of stools beside an abnormally tall countertop. Someone in a black cloak was sitting here. Fishy, to say the least, but Flinty didn't think that one bit– she sat next to them!231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeTMHKrkhF
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIFfnyiuUI
"Flinty, what are you doing!?" I harshly whispered. She looked at me and shrugged. "Is something wrong?" She said. I sighed and sat next to her while keeping an eye on the woman in the cloak.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnwRtIpRlj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYGFd3hByy
"Kenny, is this... a bar?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuYou1ZO1jH
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJyyAr98EW
"Huh?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEVuoj9y6z
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpAgRYJyvD
I looked in front of me. Diamond-shaped shelves were lined with glass bottles of varying types. There was a countertop below them with loitering glasses and rags.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVkYcbIYS1n
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ48OdGbGb5o
"Yeah, looks like it. But where's the bartender?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5hCsn8l5g
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqNvnMRdz8
"Over there," A third voice said. It was the cloaked person, and it was a woman's voice. She was pointing behind her at the crowd of people. A man with slick hair and a tie was arguing with the combatants.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi06AtbcD4D
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCovsB7UII
"You're right. Wait–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGzVFWGjNl
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Z1LBB190n
I immediately stopped talking to her and continued staring daggers. Flinty looked a bit concerned. She turned to the woman and started talking.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FZB4FzjXI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoLcOgrVQG
"Hi, I'm Flinty, and the boy next to me is Kenny. Who are you?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3XIsMZZ9Vk
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQambalW1i
The woman turned her head to me, and though I couldn't make out her face under her cloak, I could tell she was trying to gaze into my soul. I hid my face behind Flitny a little, and she stopped looking.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEv4WnCBTFT
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoImYmWsDx6
Worst of all, though, she didn't respond to Flinty's question. That's rather rude. I knew she was shady!231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡau0z8m7Ozy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyjBVSh2io
"A-Ah, well, it's okay if you don't want to say. Are you a member here?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkjQRfF1ay
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGX5wnVSk2n
"No. I'm here for another reason."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1CHqdJOmX
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjb5ddXUzHl
"And what may that be?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2ghy0MxTP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwwuFrEIZm
"None of your business."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0CJGTMROY
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTDb2Loynx
"O-Okay..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCA5Jdt0HSW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MOogO6EZD
Flinty turned her head to the front. I leaned into her ear and whispered.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlxti82VOy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3ZhLz4nTf
"She is super shady."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y9yELfQQr
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnjg4Omcqx
"Oh, come on, Kenny. Be nice."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKLC97nlOI
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8X6uCltlOt
"But she isn't being nice herself at all!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpqMFvUuMZZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlEaipZhR9
Flinty rested her cheek on her hand and gave me a deadpan look. Ugh. I stopped complaining.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvjXWrQr3s
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bPuliV4Pb
"So, are you here for a drink?" Flinty asked the woman.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1zXRMCGjLR
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9A5fxJs26C
"Yes. But, as you can see, the bartender is too busy to serve."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzthdlofpb
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLRITDuLOxP
"T-Then let's get his attention!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt9WYe3gK1h
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlxnV6f0YL
Flinty spun the stool around to where she was facing the crowd. I put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her from opening her mouth.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk73qGQ6MDh
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDcLbXLUyj
"Let me handle this."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxracm0Ku3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7q7WQpsfWV
"W-What, why?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvWfLFac8Y
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtqfam0dgj
"Because I know a thing or two about drunks."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzempb0Ib2G
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71weWlukeJ
Flinty looked anxious all of a sudden.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTAiGiMpgma
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5Yn3IvH3q
"S-Sorry, Kenny."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg8J2pFmOXz
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEySW2vpNk
I didn't understand why she was apologizing, but whatever. I got off of the stool and walked towards the rowdy combatants.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPS0hq21zf
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiNdG3u1wT
Thank you, Father, for teaching me the dangers of alcohol. Those nights you sat me down and lectured me were precious.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNZfxd9zUy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWYCS2AC8o
"Hey, you guys!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCT7zIUnLG
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9FLnqGU0og
They all looked at me. I wasn't ready for the pressure that came from their gazes.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzZQuzEbs3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4C6IJ6Dnxh
"Uh, mister bartender, a lady at the front wants to order."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPzmFDF81X
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcQyKBsWJf
"Oh, my apologies! I'll be right with you!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ArlMlHhpa
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UXkrhyMUK
The bartender rushed to the counter. I looked at the combatants, who looked to be back to their own business. At least they were quieter. I walked back to the stool and Flinty gave me two thumbs-up. The bartender asked the lady for her order and she gave it. As for us, because we were obviously underage, we were given... apple juice.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQ0P8bpAIx
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjDgdP9PT41
Hey, I wasn't complaining, and Flinty looked to be loving it. Lucky that I brought my pouch with me, isn't it? The woman got her drink and drank it. The combatants took a job and left the guild. It was peaceful. It was, dare I say, nice.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGQCnGQwLVO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7TQpTSlx7
"Thank you for the juice bartender," I said.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwKMHAlGUm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgC0LEXdkS
"Of course. Don't worry about paying either, you helped me die down that quarrel. It's the least I can do."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmzL5ktrehU
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9URpnrtgvv
Oh, sweet, free juice. Is what I would usually think. But I gave him two triangle Grants. It was probably five times more than that juice was worth. I got off of the stool and waited for Flinty to finish, but she was concerned with the cloaked women for whatever reason. I got back on the stool to see what was happening.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3abllDj6qS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKBUMgcGzu5
She was looking at her mug. It was empty, meaning that she drank it, but she looked as if she'd just killed somebody.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwP22WcoAS
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFCX77GzwZ
"Here's your bill, miss."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxVafTyqnN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLjCuOfYH6
"...I..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yrLO3Wk8E
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She was having a difficult time speaking.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbTGkQhA8w
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5q2HHocOqi
"I forgot to bring money."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6I8lQUJtm
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfDKUsoMT3
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZghNHvFKia
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSZmnxdGj9
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJh5xLkEq3
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNBjUFbRUA
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcy76BN8TOx
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I was so close. I was just an inch away from bursting out laughing. Not just because the situation was hilarious, but because I was intimidated by this person five seconds ago.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwz7FxTP1os
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UDwP0lFVo
Ha. What a moron.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiRCPouEyMN
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fFC9KYDwb
"Mister bartender, I'm willing to work until the beer is paid."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzqiXlfpba
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe6vME2KGJU
"D-Don't worry miss, I can just put it on your tab. I'll need your name and–"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofQLTfmWsd
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yvG3NpKtT
"No! I can't do that, but I will work for the beer."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡro3kaMRj8r
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyePtUGfPy
The cloaked woman was standing now and bowing. My suspicions crept back; why did she want to keep her name hidden?231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrNkbCODAE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySORdss6Qb
Well, luckily, it wasn't my business anymore. We were about to get out of here anyway. I got off of the stool and started heading to the exit until I noticed Flinty wasn't following me. She was talking to the bartender about something, so I walked back and peeled my ears open. Then I heard the phrase, "I'll pay for her."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYqsTp3u0KZ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJ7vFBzWwc
"..."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEb4vRxRvXO
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G78VwangC
Darn you, Flinty. Darn you. I took my pouch out again and sifted through it and found another triangle Grant.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8rWTJOiQE
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SILdFEarM
"Hey, cloaked woman."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPrRO5QDoyj
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlryUjJ51gI
Flinty and the woman turned their heads toward me. I took one of her hands– which I'm frankly surprised she let me do –and placed the triangle grant on her palm.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cyUYvTBU5
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbJzlcjq2Y
"You can keep the change. Bring a wallet next time."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghjGGl3229
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0D6JmrR6K
"Yes, of course. Thank you."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhovbBXA9qo
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jf4t5YIEK
She gripped the piece and bowed at me. How strangely polite. I didn't like it. She's still too fishy!231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8u6hPnYlv
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡloC7hwudys
"Alright Flinty, let's go."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNdJ5M2rsB
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOYEUT7W2a
"Yes!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TU9VUZAqV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkyV4dadHi
We were finally leaving the guild. I didn't want to come back for at least an awfully long while. Flinty was giving me a strange smile of appeasement.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ10LJKXTpzW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKulFLa4yqy
"What?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfCh5yaWvM
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ57hpPNmzgr
"Kenny, you're awesome."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eIEOTL94k
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3g8IaTL6ox
I think I felt my face light up for the first time.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7rl4RqIyu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLF80sJ9hWi
"U-Um, Thank you, Flinty."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP09sI9AKNy
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpiiao3hj3
"Now come on, we still have a whole city to explore!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDT4KlgXvu
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQeMo3eQH7
She ran out of the guild's doors. Her steps were quick, but they didn't cover much distance. She was enthusiastic. With Flinty, you could just tell. She wore her emotions on her sleeves.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBXloC01o9
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOPw0d91xy
She looked back. "Come on, Kenny!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZW6jUelmL
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmBkfkKmDh
I walked over to her, and she took my hand. We walked somewhere, I didn't know exactly. All I could think about was her face, how honest it was, and how much I appreciated it.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BSgj741tW
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPXbNmDNsLw
There was something special about this person. Maybe because we were both kids, but, I had a strong desire to keep her safe.231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLAyRCJPen
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmx9WsG9d58
"...Is something wrong?"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIewJhwgOYQ
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5bClrZCJB
"Huh? N-No, I'm just thinking."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9N7tfSQNV
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSxX6bwB7AM
"Think later, I'm talking to you!"231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOSSH7WS0d
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1N5cOnAKZ
"R-Right."231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5YvxnlZJP
231Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcNVgi8uzsx
I didn't know, but I was okay with that. I'd know eventually. I was sure of it.
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